taxonID	type	description	language	source
242287B78811FFE0FF3316C7FB4AF9E4.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Aspidistra brachypetala var. danii differs from the type variety in spherical or slightly oblate (rarely broadly ellipsoidal) perianth tube with ± flat base, dimorphic perianth lobes arranged in two distinct whorls, and broadly triangular outer tepal lobes with auricle-like lobules at base.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78811FFE0FF3316C7FB4AF9E4.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — VIETNAM. Border area of Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa provinces: Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Khanh Le Pass (Hon Giao Pass) area, primary humid evergreen broad-leaved cloud forest on granite and gneiss at elevations of 1750 – 1850 m a. s. l., terrestrial clustering herb on rocky very wet slope near waterfall, old flowers spherical with small lobed opening, locally common, 19 April 2025, Truong Quang Cuong, L. Averyanov, Nguyen Van Canh, T. Maisak, AL 3857 (holotype LE: LE 01282572 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263776, isotypes LE: LE 01282571 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263775, LE 01282573 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263777, MW: MW 0595870, photos LE 01255750 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 261252).	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78811FFE0FF3316C7FB4AF9E4.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The variety is named after Mr. Pham Van Dan, the vice director of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, who kindly organized our investigations at the territory of the national park.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78811FFE0FF3316C7FB4AF9E4.taxon	description	Description: — Plant terrestrial, herbaceous, perennial, glabrous (except for having root hairs). Stem erect to suberect, stout, (1.5) 2 – 3 (3.5) cm tall, (4.5) 5 – 7 (8) mm in diameter, branching and forming rather dense clumps, covered by numerous cataphyll remnants, supported by (4) 5 – 8 (10) prop roots. Stem with very short internodes, consisting of several (to many) regularly repeating units, each unit comprising about 2 – 4 cataphylls followed by a single foliage leaf; (2) 3 – 5 (6) leaves present on stem simultaneously. Roots straight to somewhat flexuose, rigid, to 16 cm long, (2) 2.5 – 3.5 (4) mm in diameter, pale brown to light grey, shortly tomentose. Cataphylls when young convolute and appearing tubular, completely enveloping petiole of the foliage leaf of the same stem unit, (1) 2 – 8 cm long, pale purple-brownish to dark dirty purple, early disintegrating into white to light grey or pale brown linear chartaceousfibrous remnants. Leaves distinctly petiolate. Petiole erect to suberect, (6) 7 – 20 (22) cm long, (1.6) 1.8 – 2.2 (2.4) mm in diameter, adaxially canaliculate, at base slightly swollen. Leaf blade rather straight, somewhat angled with petiole or slightly arcuate, coriaceous, narrowly ovate to broadly lanceolate or elliptic, at base cuneate to shortly attenuate, acute at apex, (9) 10 – 18 (20) cm long, (2) 2.5 – 5 (5.5) cm wide, uniformly dark green adaxially, somewhat lighter abaxially, with prominent median vein and several indistinct secondary veins more or less parallel to median vein, margin entire and straight. Inflorescences axillary, up to several per plant. Peduncle uniflorous, almost vertical, erect to suberect, (0.6) 0.8 – 2 (2.2) cm long, 1 – 1.2 mm in diameter in sicco (1.2 – 2 mm when fresh), uniformly pale pink-brownish, bearing (3) 4 – 5 (6) bracts (2 of them placed close to flower base and appressed to perianth tube). Bracts ovate to broadly ovate, (4.5) 5 – 8 (9) mm long, (3.5) 4 – 9 (10) mm wide, uniformly pale dirty pinkish. Flower vertically oriented. Perianth 8 – 9 (10) mm long, outside and inside uniformly dark reddish-brown to dark purple violet, smooth outside and inside, somewhat glossy; tube spherical to slightly oblate, rarely broadly ellipsoidal, with ± flat base and shortly tapering apex, (7) 7.5 – 9 (9.5) mm long, (8) 9 – 10 (11) mm in diameter; lobes 6, dimorphic, arranged in two distinct whorls as evident from overlapping bases, erect, with finely erose margin; outer tepal lobes broadly triangular but with base narrower than maximum width (i. e. with auricle-like lobules at base), 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, blunt to rounded at apex; inner tepal lobes of the same shape but narrower (triangular), 1.5 mm long and wide, broadly rounded at apex; orifice 1.2 – 1.6 mm in diameter. Stamens 6, inserted at middle of perianth tube, just below stigma, in the same radii with perianth lobes; anthers almost sessile or on very short filaments less than 0.5 mm long, bean-shaped, 1.2 – 1.4 mm long and wide, light pale yellowish, dehiscing by longitudinal slits, introrse. Pistil table-shaped, entirely dark reddish-brown to almost red; ovary superior, small and inconspicuous; style cylindrical, (1.4) 1.5 (1.6) mm long (rarely longer), 1.8 – 2 mm in diameter; stigma very widely obconoid or disс-shaped, (1) 1.2 (1.4) mm high, (6) 7 – 8 (8.5) mm in diameter, shallowly 3 - lobed, with lobes broadly emarginate, with almost flat or slightly concave smooth to finely papillulate upper surface, with slightly thickened margin, with low central umbo and 3 indistinct radial ridges connecting umbo with interlobal sinuses. Fruit upright on erect peduncle, globose, (9) 10 – 13 (14) mm in diameter, dark dirty green to dirty olive and dark blue, often with numerous verrucae and protuberances especially in distal third, 1 (3) - seeded.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78811FFE0FF3316C7FB4AF9E4.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology and phenology: — Primary evergreen broad-leaved humid montane forests on granite and gneiss at elevations of 1750 – 1850 m a. s. l., common on steep wet slopes along small rocky streams. Flowers in March – April, fruits in April – May.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78811FFE0FF3316C7FB4AF9E4.taxon	distribution	Distribution: — Vietnam: provinces Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa (Khanh Le Pass area in Bidoup Nui Ba National Park). The species is likely to be endemic to a very restricted area of Hon Giao Ridge at elevations of 1700 – 1900 m a. s. l. Conservation status: — Aspidistra brachypetala var. danii was observed in a single locality where it is occasionally common in understory of a primary forest in an area of less than 1 km 2. This area is legally protected, being located within the territory of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park. If the forest does not degrade due to recreation or any other factors, the conservation status of this variety is to be assessed as Near Threatened (NT) following the formal criteria of IUCN (2025). Notes: — Aspidistra brachypetala var. danii differs from the type variety of A. brachypetala C. R. Lin & B. Pan in Pan et al. (2020: 195), which is endemic to Guangxi (China), in spherical to slightly oblate (rarely broadly ellipsoidal) perianth tube with ± flat base (vs. broadly ellipsoidal or ovoid perianth tube with broadly conoid base), dimorphic perianth lobes arranged in two distinct whorls (vs. subequal lobes arranged seemingly in one whorl), and broadly triangular outer tepal lobes with bases narrower than maximum width, showing auricle-like lobules (vs. outer tepal lobes triangular, widest at base and thus lacking any lobules). The finding studied here represents a significant extension of the known distribution range of A. brachypetala, being a new species record for Vietnam, and distanced about 1080 km to the south from its only previously documented locality. Within the classification of shapes of perianth tubes by Tillich (2023), the tube of A. brachypetala var. danii is to be described as urceolate due to its flat base, whereas the tube of A. brachypetala var. brachypetala (although described as urceolate in the protologue) corresponds to the ellipsoidal type. To avoid confusion, we here appeal to the geometrical shape rather than to the tube classification.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78813FFE5FF3313D9FEE5FE64.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — VIETNAM. Kon Tum Province: Dak Gley District, Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, W slopes of Ngoc Linh Mountain System, remnants of primary and secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest on granite and shale at elevation of about 1100 m a. s. l., terrestrial herb in very steep shady rocky stream canyon, flowers dull pink-brownish, not common, 2 May 2025, L. Averyanov, Nguyen Van Canh, T. Maisak, AL 4114 (holotype LE: LE 01282562 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263771, isotypes LE: LE 01282561 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263770, LE 01282563 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263772, MW: MW 0595871, photos LE 01255935 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 260812, LE 01255936 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 260813).	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78813FFE5FF3313D9FEE5FE64.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Aspidistra microstyla differs from the morphologically closest A. shimentaiensis in smaller flowers (6 – 8 mm vs. 14 – 16 mm long) facing horizontally (vs. downwards), anthers inserted at the basal third (vs. at very base) of the perianth tube, and uniformly white to yellowish indistinctly mushroom-shaped pistil (vs. purplish red mushroom-shaped pistil with obconical stigma).	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78813FFE5FF3313D9FEE5FE64.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The species epithet refers to its small style, which is significantly shorter than in most of the species of the genus.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78813FFE5FF3313D9FEE5FE64.taxon	description	Description: — Plant terrestrial, herbaceous, perennial, rhizomatous, glabrous (except for having root hairs). Rhizome epigeous, orthotropic, erect to suberect, rigid, 3 – 4.5 (5) mm in diameter, usually abundantly and densely branching, covered by cataphyll remnants. Rhizome with very short internodes, consisting of regularly repeating units, each unit comprising several cataphylls followed by a single foliage leaf; rhizome branches to 3 (4) cm long, having appearance of a group of (1) 2 – 3 (4) leaves closely spaced in distal portion of branch. Roots numerous, wiry, rigid, white or grey, shortly tomentose. Cataphylls when young convolute and appearing tubular, (2) 4 – 10 (12) cm long, dirty brownish purple, early disintegrating into dull grey chartaceous or fibrous remnants. Leaves straight, erect to slightly arching, (45) 50 – 70 (75) cm long, distinctly petiolate. Petiole straight, stiff, (25) 30 – 35 (40) cm long, 3 – 4 mm in diameter, adaxially canaliculate. Leaf blade broadly lanceolate to narrowly ovate or elliptic, tapering at base, acute at apex, (18) 22 – 30 (34) cm long, (3.5) 4 – 6 (6.5) cm wide, uniformly grassy green on both sides, with prominent median vein and 2 – 3 secondary veins distinct on both sides (impressed adaxially, raised abaxially), secondary veins arising from median vein in basal half of blade, margin entire and ± straight. Inflorescences axillary, several to numerous per rhizome branch. Peduncle uniflorous, ascending to erect, bent horizontally near apex, (1.5) 2 – 4.5 (5.5) cm long (to 7 cm long when fruiting), 1 – 1.5 mm in diameter, purple, bearing 4 – 5 (6) bracts (2 of them placed close to flower base and appressed to perianth tube). Bracts ovate to broadly ovate, cymbiform, scarious, obtuse at apex, (3) 3.5 – 4.5 (5) mm long and wide (when flattened), dark dirty brownish purple. Flower ± horizontally oriented. Perianth (6) 7 (8) mm long and wide, dissected into lobes to about middle, fleshy, smooth outside and inside; tube broadly campanulate to cupulate (mostly hemispherical at base and vertical towards apex), (2.8) 3 (3.2) mm long, (5.8) 6 (6.2) mm in diameter, yellowish with purple speckles outside and inside; lobes 6, apparently in one whorl, equal, triangular, blunt at apex, erect to slightly spreading, (2.8) 3 – 3.5 (3.7) mm long, (2.8) 3 (3.2) mm wide, purplish with yellow speckles outside, yellowish with purple speckles inside (with gradual transition of color from tube to lobes), glossy, with entire margin. Stamens 6, inserted at basal third of perianth tube in the same radii with perianth lobes; anthers subsessile (filaments about 0.15 mm long and wide), oblong, 1.4 – 1.5 mm long, 1 – 1.2 mm wide, yellow-orange, dehiscing by longitudinal slits, latrorse, after dehiscence becoming agglutinate to style by connective. Pistil indistinctly mushroom-shaped (with stigma slightly wider than style), uniformly white to light yellowish; ovary inconspicuous; style shortly cylindrical, distally slightly broadening, terete, (2.4) 2.6 – 2.8 (3) mm long, (1.5) 1.8 – 2.8 (3) mm in diameter; stigma flat or slightly convex, entire, orbicular, 2.8 – 3 mm in diameter, smooth, with small central hollow. Fruit narrowly obovoid to obovoid, (1.6) 1.8 – 2 (2.2) cm long, 1.1 – 1.2 cm in diameter, dirty purple violet, rugose or sparsely spinulose in distal half, 1 - seeded.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78813FFE5FF3313D9FEE5FE64.taxon	distribution	Distribution: — Vietnam: Kon Tum Province (Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve). The species is likely to be endemic to Kon Tum – Gia Lai Plateau in central Vietnam.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78813FFE5FF3313D9FEE5FE64.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology and phenology: — Primary and secondary evergreen broad-leaved forests on granite and silicate shale at elevation of about 1100 m a. s. l., usually on steep rocky slopes of streams in deep shade. Not common. Flowers and fruits in April – May. Conservation: — Aspidistra microstyla was observed in a single locality, and we estimate the only discovered population to include less than 250 mature individuals with the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) less than 10 km 2. The population inhabits somewhat degraded secondary forest near a road with intensive traffic. The area is legally protected, being located within the Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, and the population does not currently meet any certain threat. Meanwhile, the continuing decline of the habitat quality conditions the conservation status of the species close to NT (Near Threatened). Taxonomic relationships: — Aspidistra microstyla differs from most of its congeners in the following combination of morphological traits: petiolate foliage leaves with lanceolate to elliptic (rather than linear) blades, purple peduncle bent near the apex, and yellowish purple perianth smooth inside with campanulate to cupulate tube and without prominent keels. This combination of traits (including the entire range of perianth coloration from yellow to purple) is inherent only to three other species of the genus, which are discussed below.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78813FFE5FF3313D9FEE5FE64.taxon	description	Aspidistra microstyla differs from A. laongamensis C. R. Lin & X. Y. Huang in Huang et al. (2018: 393) endemic to Laos in smaller flowers (6 – 8 mm vs. 12 – 15 mm long) having 6 (vs. mostly 8, rarely 6) tepals and stamens, purple with yellow (vs. uniformly bright yellow) perianth lobes, subsessile anthers (vs. with filaments ca. 1 mm long), and indistinctly mushroom-shaped pistil (vs. distinctly mushroom-shaped pistil with peltate stigma). Then, the new species differs from Aspidistra nankunshanensis Yan Liu & C. R. Lin in Lin et al. (2013: 123; see also Peng et al. 2023) endemic to Guangdong (China) in smaller flowers (6 – 8 mm vs. 10 – 20 mm long) facing horizontally (vs. downwards) and having 6 (vs. 8) tepals and stamens, perianth lobes without keels (vs. with 2 adaxial keels), anthers inserted at the basal third of the perianth tube (vs. nearly at the base of the tube), and indistinctly mushroom-shaped pistil (vs. distinctly mushroom-shaped pistil with obconical stigma). Finally, Aspidistra microstyla is morphologically most close to A. shimentaiensis C. X. Peng, Y. Q. Li & C. R. Lin in Peng et al. (2023: 88) endemic to Guangdong (China), differing from it in smaller flowers (6 – 8 mm vs. 14 – 16 mm long) facing horizontally (vs. downwards), anthers inserted at the basal third (vs. at very base) of the perianth tube, and uniformly white to yellowish indistinctly mushroom-shaped pistil (vs. purplish red mushroom-shaped pistil with obconical stigma).	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78816FFEBFF331759FD96FB1C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Aspidistra mirostigma var. haui differs from the type variety in absence of keels on inner surface of perianth tube, perianth lobes with 2 indistinct central ribs between the lateral keels, stamens inserted at middle of perianth tube, and apically flat stigma with 6 pits on upper surface and 12 dents along margin.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78816FFEBFF331759FD96FB1C.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — VIETNAM. Kon Tum Province: Kon Plong District, Mang Den Town area, near Pa Sy Waterfall, dry evergreen secondary broad-leaved forest on steep river slopes composed of lava rocks and silicate shale at elevation of about 1100 m a. s. l., terrestrial rhizomatous herb in shady place along stream, flowers almost black with perianth lobes green, rare, 30 April 2025, L. Averyanov, Nguyen Van Canh, T. Maisak, AL 4068 (holotype LE: LE 01282565 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263774, isotypes LE: LE 01282564 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263773, MW: MW 0595872, photos LE 01255890 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 260806, LE 01255891 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 260807, LE 01255892 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 260808).	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78816FFEBFF331759FD96FB1C.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The variety is named after Mr. Tran Hau who found abundantly flowering plants which we used for the preparation of the type specimens.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78816FFEBFF331759FD96FB1C.taxon	description	Description: — Plant terrestrial, herbaceous, perennial, rhizomatous, glabrous (except for having root hairs). Rhizome epigeous, plagiotropic, ascending to shortly erect at apex, 3 – 5 mm diameter, green to light yellowish or brownish, unbranched or sparsely branching, naked or covered by a few cataphyll remnants. Rhizome with very short internodes, consisting of regularly repeating units, each unit comprising several cataphylls followed by a single foliage leaf; rhizome (or its branches, if any) (1.2) 1.5 – 2.5 (3) cm long; (2) 3 – 4 (5) leaves present on rhizome branch simultaneously. Roots several per rhizome branch, wiry, rigid, pale brownish, shortly tomentose. Cataphylls when young convolute and appearing tubular, (2) 3 – 6 (8) cm long, dark purple-brown to almost black, early disintegrating into light grey or dull brownish chartaceous or fibrous remnants. Leaves (22) 25 – 60 (65) cm long, distinctly petiolate. Petiole erect to suberect, (8) 12 – 40 (45) cm long, (1.6) 1.8 – 2 (2.2) mm in diameter, adaxially shallowly canaliculate, at base slightly swollen. Leaf blade commonly arching, coriaceous, narrowly ovate or narrowly elliptic, unequally cuneate at base, acuminate at apex, (14) 16 – 22 (24) cm long, (2.5) 3 – 5 (5.5) cm wide, uniformly grassy green on both sides, with rather indistinct median vein and several very indistinct secondary veins parallel to median vein, margin entire. Inflorescences axillary, usually several per rhizome branch. Peduncle uniflorous, horizontally oriented, bent upwards near apex, (1.5) 2 – 5 (6) cm long, 1.5 – 2.5 mm in diameter (1.2 – 1.5 mm in sicco), dark purple to almost black, glossy, bearing 4 – 5 bracts (2 of them placed directly at flower base and appressed to perianth tube). Bracts broadly ovate, strongly cymbiform and often almost surrounding the peduncle, obtuse at apex, (3.5) 5 – 7 (7.5) mm long, (6) 8 – 11 (12) mm wide (when flattened), white to light greenish, mottled with dark purple-violet. Flower vertically oriented. Perianth (1.3) 1.4 – 1.5 (1.6) cm long, fleshy, outside and inside dark purple to almost black, except for bright green lobes on most of adaxial surface and abaxially along margin, glossy, smooth outside and inside; tube urceolate (but hemispherical at base), (1.3) 1.4 – 1.5 (1.6) cm in diameter; lobes 6, distinctly dimorphic, arranged in two whorls as evident from slightly overlapping bases, recurved with distal portions spreading horizontally, obtuse at apex, about 5 mm long, each adaxially with 2 prominent lateral keels and 2 indistinct ribs between them, margin entire; outer tepal lobes isosceles triangular; inner tepal lobes oblong-ovate. Stamens 6, inserted at middle of perianth tube, around apical margin of stigma, in the same radii with perianth lobes; anthers sessile, broadly ovate, (1.3) 1.4 (1.5) mm long and wide, dehiscing by longitudinal slits, introrse; pollen bright yellow-orange. Pistil with almost sessile broadly obconoid stigma (bowl-shaped), (4.5) 5 – 8 (9) mm tall, (12) 13 – 14 (15) mm in diameter, entirely dark purple, laterally with 12 longitudinal ridges (6 very prominent, nearly wing-like, alternating with stamens and 6 much less prominent opposite stamens); upper surface of stigma flat, circular in outline, with 12 triangular dents (6 larger and 6 smaller, being continuations of longitudinal ridges), and with 6 distinct oblong pits in the radii of larger dents; ovary superior, small and inconspicuous. Fruit globose, (1.6) 1.8 – 2.2 (2.4) cm in diameter, pale greenish to dirty violet, sparsely spinulose, 6 - seeded.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78816FFEBFF331759FD96FB1C.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology and phenology: — Dry evergreen secondary broad-leaved forests on lava rocks and silicate shale at elevation of about 1100 m a. s. l., common on shady slopes along small streams. Flowers and fruits in April – May.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78816FFEBFF331759FD96FB1C.taxon	distribution	Distribution: — Vietnam: Kon Tum Province (Pa Sy Waterfall ecotourism area in Kon Plong District). Conservation status: — Aspidistra mirostigma var. haui was observed in a single locality, and we estimate the only discovered population to include less than 250 mature individuals with the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) surely much less than 10 km 2. The area near the Pa Sy Waterfall inhabited by this variety is a tourist resort, and its aboriginal vegetation is almost completely destroyed. This area is currently not under any legal protection. Due to the fast decline of habitat quality, we assume that the variety stands at the verge of extinction in the wild. We therefore preliminarily assess its conservation status as Critically Endangered (CR B 1 ab (iii) + 2 ab (iii); C 1 a (i, ii) + b (i, ii )) following the formal criteria of IUCN (2025). Notes: — Aspidistra mirostigma var. haui differs from the type variety of A. mirostigma Tillich & Škorničk. in Leong-Škorničková et al. (2014: 34) in absence of keels on inner surface of perianth tube (vs. perianth tube inside with ca. 24 distinct keels), perianth lobes with 2 indistinct central ribs (vs. 2 prominent keels) between the lateral keels, stamens inserted at middle (vs. near the base) of the perianth tube, stigma apically flat, with 6 radially oriented pits on upper surface (vs. with apical part having the shape of a truncated cone and bearing numerous longitudinal grooves) and with 12 (vs. 6) dents along margin. Together with the finding described here as a separate variety, A. mirostigma is still considered endemic to Kon Plong District. Aspidistra mirostigma var. mirostigma has only been reported from its type locality, which is located 18 km from the population of A. mirostigma var. haui. Remarkably, the third currently available series of collections of A. mirostigma, the one obtained by B. Wynn-Jones at the type locality of the species (at least the specimen Wynn-Jones, BWJ 15796; photos LE: LE 01087125 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 18649), demonstrates intermediate morphology, i. e. perianth tube with keels inside, 4 - keeled tepal lobes and stamens inserted near the base of the perianth tube as in A. mirostigma var. mirostigma, stigma with 12 dents at margin as in A. mirostigma var. haui, and low elevation at stigma apex being equally different from both varieties. The distribution pattern together with the morphological variation suggests that the two varieties are not strictly delimited from each other, and rather represent extreme variants of the gradual intraspecific diversity.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78818FFE9FF3311C1FE7FF790.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Aspidistra nguyenii is morphologically most similar to A. globulifera, A. semiaperta, A. truongii, and A. verruculosa, from which it differs in very narrowly elliptic to almost linear leaf blades long attenuate at base and indistinctly delimited with petiole, and in finely spinose-serrulate margin of leaf blade.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78818FFE9FF3311C1FE7FF790.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — VIETNAM. Originally collected in Dak Lak Province: Krong Bong District, Yang Hanh Mt., evergreen broad-leaved forest on granite at elevation of 600 – 700 m a. s. l., on 16 February 2025, by Nguyen Van Canh and Ha Khoi Nguyen. Herbarium specimens and photos prepared from plant cultivated by Nguyen Van Canh in Buon Ma Thuot City (Dak Lak Province) on 5 May 2025 by Nguyen Van Canh, AL 4444 (holotype LE: LE 01282508 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263768, isotype LE: LE 01282509 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 263769, photos LE 01203402 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 262375). Additional specimen examined (paratype): — VIETNAM. Dak Lak Province: Krong Bong District, Yang Hanh Mt., evergreen broad-leaved forest on granite at elevation of 600 – 700 m a. s. l., 16 February 2025, fruiting, Nguyen Van Canh, Ha Khoi Nguyen, AL 4444 a (LE, photos LE: LE 01203456 https: // en. herbariumle. ru /? t = occ & id = 265291).	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78818FFE9FF3311C1FE7FF790.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The species is named after Nguyen Ha Khoi Nguyen (Nguy ễn Hà Khôi Nguyên), its discoverer.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78818FFE9FF3311C1FE7FF790.taxon	description	Description: — Plant terrestrial, herbaceous, perennial, rhizomatous, glabrous (except for having root hairs). Rhizome epigeous or sub-epigeous, plagiotropic, (5) 5.5 – 6 (7) mm in diameter, white to light yellowish or greenish, unbranched or branching, covered by cataphyll remnants. Rhizome with very short internodes, consisting of regularly repeating units, each unit comprising several cataphylls followed by a single foliage leaf; rhizome (or its branches, if any) (2) 3 – 4 (4.5) cm long; (2) 3 – 4 (5) leaves present on rhizome branch simultaneously. Roots numerous on each rhizome branch, wiry, rigid, white or yellowish grey, shortly tomentose. Cataphylls when young scarious, narrowly triangular, acute at apex, somewhat conduplicate, (1) 2 – 7 (9) cm long, white with light purple-violet tint, becoming light grey when withered, disintegrating into sparse dull brownish fibrous remnants. Leaves (40) 45 – 60 (65) cm long, indistinctly petiolate. Petiole erect to suberect, (22) 25 – 30 (32) cm long, (1.6) 1.8 – 2.2 (2.4) mm in diameter, adaxially shallowly canaliculate, at base slightly swollen. Leaf blade almost straight and erect to slightly arcuate, coriaceous, very narrowly elliptic to almost linear, long attenuate at base, tapering to acuminate apex, (24) 26 – 34 (38) cm long, (0.8) 1 – 2 (2.4) cm wide, uniformly grassy green on both sides, with distinct median vein and several very indistinct secondary veins parallel to median vein, margin finely spinose-serrulate. Inflorescences axillary, usually several per rhizome branch. Peduncle uniflorous, vertically oriented or ascending, erect to arcuate, (0.8) 1 – 3 (3.5) cm long, (1.8) 2 (2.2) mm in diameter (1.2 – 1.5 mm in sicco), uniformly white or white with light purple mottling, bearing (3) 4 – 5 (6) bracts (2 of them usually placed close to flower base and appressed to perianth tube). Bracts ovate to broadly ovate, cymbiform, obtuse at apex, (4.5) 5 – 6 (7) mm long, (6) 8 – 12 (14) mm wide (when flattened), light pinkish to pale purple. Flower vertically oriented. Perianth (1.1) 1.2 – 1.6 (1.7) mm long, dissected into lobes to about middle, fleshy, uniformly purple to dark purple outside and inside, somewhat glossy; tube bowl-shaped, (1.1) 1.2 – 1.5 (1.6) cm in diameter, smooth outside and inside; lobes 6, subequal, sometimes with slightly overlapping bases, almost isosceles triangular, obtuse at apex, erect, (4.5) 5 – 6 (6.5) mm long and wide, smooth outside and finely verrucose inside, with entire margin. Stamens 6, inserted at basal third of perianth tube in the same radii with perianth lobes; filaments 0.8 – 1 mm long, mostly white; anthers obovate, 1.8 – 2 mm long, 0.5 – 0.6 mm wide, bright yellow, dehiscing by longitudinal slits, introrse, facing somewhat upwards and nearly appressed to lower surface of stigma. Pistil table-shaped; ovary superior, small and inconspicuous; style cylindrical, terete, (1.4) 1.6 – 2 (2.2) mm long, 1.5 – 1.7 mm in diameter, entirely white; stigma disс-shaped, 1 – 1.2 mm thick, (0.9) 1 (1.1) cm in diameter, divided into 3 broad lobes nearly half-way, with each lobe divided into 2 ± semicircular lobules; stigma below white around center and purple along margin, above also white with purple margin (sometimes with wide purple area being predominant and leaving white spot in each lobule and in stigma center); upper surface of stigma almost flat, smooth to finely papillulate, with 3 indistinct grooves along central lines of lobes bifurcating into lobules. Fruit obovoid, dark blue with small green spots, with numerous verrucae and sparse protuberances especially in distal third, on elongated stalk (carpophore) ca. twice as long as the fruit.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78818FFE9FF3311C1FE7FF790.taxon	biology_ecology	Ecology and phenology: — Primary and secondary evergreen broad-leaved forests on granite at elevations of 600 – 700 m a. s. l. Flowers in April – May (under cultivation), fruits in February.	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
242287B78818FFE9FF3311C1FE7FF790.taxon	distribution	Distribution: — Vietnam: Dak Lak Province (Yang Hanh Mountain in Krong Bong District). Conservation status: — Aspidistra nguyenii was observed in a single locality, where an area of less than 1 km 2 was surveyed. This area is currently not under any legal protection. Since the number of subpopulations and their size are unknown, we estimate the conservation status of this species as Data Deficient (DD) following the formal criteria of IUCN (2025). At the same time, given the broad-scale deforestation and decrease of habitat quality in area inhabited by the species, we assume that its conservation status will approach the threatened categories in the foreseeable future. Taxonomic relationships: — Aspidistra nguyenii belongs to a group of species characterized by the following combination of morphological traits: plants with plagiotropic rhizome and without aerial stem, petiolate foliage leaves, more or less widely opened purple to violet perianth, urceolate or bowl-shaped perianth tube, stamens inserted below the middle of perianth tube, mushroom- or table-shaped pistil with almost flat or slightly convex (rather than domeshaped), more or less 6 - lobuled stigma. Within this group, the new species is most similar in its floral morphology to A. globulifera (Aver., K. S. Nguyen & Tillich in Averyanov et al. 2020: 11) Aver. in Averyanov et al. (2021: 27) (see also Averyanov et al. 2018, as A. semiaperta), A. semiaperta Averyanov & Tillich (2015: 373), A. truongii Averyanov & Tillich (2013: 108), and A. verruculosa Aver., Tillich & D. D. Nguyen in Averyanov et al. (2019: 108). Aspidistra nguyenii differs from these four species in very narrowly elliptic to almost linear leaf blades long attenuate at base and indistinctly delimited with petiole (vs. leaf blades narrowly ovate to ovate or elliptic, distinctly delimited with petiole), and finely spinose-serrulate (vs. entire) margin of leaf blade. Additionally, A. nguyenii is distinct from the four species in the following characters. The new species differs from A. globulifera in bowl-shaped (vs. urceolate) perianth tube without (vs. with) keels inside. Also, it differs from A. semiaperta in perianth as broad as long or little shorter (vs. distinctly broader than long), bowl-shaped (vs. urceolate) perianth tube without (vs. with) keels inside, and presence of stamen filaments (vs. sessile anthers). Then, it differs from A. truongii in twice smaller perianth (1.1 – 1.6 cm vs. 2.5 – 3.5 cm in diameter), erect (vs. commonly nutant) flowers, stamens inserted below the middle (vs. almost at the base) of perianth tube, and presence of stamen filaments (vs. sessile anthers). Finally, A. nguyenii differs from A. verruculosa in perianth purple to dark purple (vs. dark purple-violet or almost black) inside, and perianth tube smooth (vs. rough to finely verruculose) inside. The fruit of A. nguyenii is remarkable in having a distinct stalk (carpophore), a rare feature in Aspidistra. Such carpophores were documented for e. g. A. obtusata Vislobokov (2016: 694) and A. truongii (Averyanov & Tillich 2013). The taxonomic value of this feature, however, is still to be evaluated, as it was shown to have intraspecific variation (Vislobokov 2016).	en	Averyanov, Leonid V., Nguyen, Van Canh, Nuraliev, Maxim S., Vislobokov, Nikolay A., Maisak, Tatiana V., Thuy, Nhan Tran Thi, Quang, Cuong Truong, Krupkina, Ludmila I. (2025): Two new species and two new varieties of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 237-250, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.1
